As it seems I too cannot venture far today (need to be close to toilet facilities...say no more), and also that the kids want to get on with their school work, it has been a stay at home type of day.
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| Luke building a tuk tuk and a temple for distance education "neighbourhood" project. |
We had a Skype call with Luke's teacher at DECV this morning. The aim was for me to have some support and Luke some more motivation. The first aim was achieved, although Karl reckons it was an ineffective call with no real conclusions. The second more important issue of motivating Luke will take more than the odd Skype to his teacher. In the end he did do a bit of school work but it certainly wasn't fun for him or Karl or me. At this stage, building a relationship with his teacher and building his confidence is important but Luke protests that it isn't real school and can't see the point. The big kids are endlessly frustrated with the slow Wi Fi which hampers their work and much yelling and groaning results. It is true that it is frustrating and hopefully we can resolve it all soon. A house of accumulated frustration means we are all on edge....grrrrr.....watch out everyone....
Vipin, the house help, came early to try to fix the toilet in the boys' room. This apartment looks grand superficially but the workmanship is shoddy and really should be addressed. We thought coming back here, things might have been repaired and cleaned up, but apparently, they have gone unnoticed. Two other Airbnb clients have stayed here over the 9 days we were in Jaipur and Agra and I think for a night or two, they turned a blind eye to the problems. However, as we are here for longer, we know the door handle still falls off, the plumbing still leaks, the cupboards have still not been cleaned inside, etc. Also, having stayed elsewhere in India, we know that other places are in good repair and it isn't just these "Indian" standards which apply overall. Not complaining, just saying...
Having said all of that, it is a beautiful spring day outside with clear skies and the little park opposite our apartment is green and peaceful. The distant traffic and noise is only audible if you want to hear it, otherwise it really is quiet as far as India goes.
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| Our lovely little park in Lajpat Nagar |
What is really nice about being back in this part of New Delhi is that there are few beggars and very little hassling to buy in the Lajpat Nagar Market. Our experiences in Jaipur and Agra of being constantly harassed make New Delhi seem easy! It is amazing how quickly the extraordinary becomes ordinary!
As I needed a new belt and a walk in the sun, Annika, Luke and I walked to the market. We found a suitable leather belt which the vendor shortened and customised on the spot. I also found a shoe repairer who fixed my runners in a flash. I was glad I was wearing my new "thocks" to stand in the thongs provided while I waited!
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| Lajpat Nagar market |
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| Customised belt while you wait! |
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| Thocks - I couldn't rethist!! | | |
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| A thelection of thocks... |
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| Street cobbler. |
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| Bling central.. |
Karl and Luke had a lovely play in the park to burn off some energy before the cool evening set in.
Driving
in India must be like giving birth: slowly, slowly, twisting and
turning, easing and squeezing and pushing...not to mention the tooting! Apparently Indian drivers have three rules: tooting their horns, using their brakes and depending on good luck.
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| Local traffic jam |
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